Teachings of Vidura – Relevance to Modern Management
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High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 Teachings of Vidura – Relevance to Modern Management B. Sreenivsacharyulu Research Scholar, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India Lakshmi Parthasarathy, Research Supervisor, Bharathiar University, India Abstract: Success and sustainability of organisation depends on the culture which prevails in the organisation.Leaders make difference in bringing cultural change in the organisation. A leader with value system and exceptional leadership qualities changes the fate of organisation. Several western management theorists have spelt out essential qualities of leaders and other management principles in running an organisation effectively. Broadly, these principles holdgood across the globe, but a region specific cultural and spiritual touch make them more effective. This has diverted the attention towards east especially India (Bharat). Indian Epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana are great sources for management principles with a spiritual and cultural touch. In Mahabharata, Vidura advises his King about qualities,traits of a leader and several principles to rule/administer i.e. Raja-dharma. Vidura Neeti is a mine of wisdom. Though society is changed many folds from the period of Mahabharatha, fundamental value system remains same. Vidura’s teachings revolves on the eternal value system. Vidura has rationally portrayed the duties of a king / Leader while stressing upon ethical values.His teachings are appropriateto modern management fraternity.This studyanalyses the relevance of the teachings of Vidura to modern management andits linkage to western theories. Key Words: Traits of a Leader, Leadership, Ethics, Success, Teamwork, Raja-dharma 1. Introduction Value based traits of a leader is key to keep the organisation competitive and sustain in todays’ competitive business environment. In the present business environmentorganizations strive to remain competitive and win over the competition and business challenges.A leader can keep the organisation in high trajectory and winning path or he can ruin the organisation by spoiling the morale in the organisation.However, a vital point to be considered is that every organization must recruit and build an ethical team who in turn canbring success with their appreciable personal traits, leadership and good governance capabilities. Empowered people with great conduct, behaviour and vision not only make the organisation survive and sustain in the competitive world, but also help the economy. To name a few, organisationslike Tata Group, Wipro, Amar Raja Batteries, TVS, ChemplastSanmar do this in India, MNC like Unilever, P&G, Huntsman, Petronas, BASF . Western management theorists believe that eastern philosophies, especially India has a lot to add and gives innovative and simple thoughts because of her rich heritage and culture.Ancient Indian Volume 27, Issue 8, 2021 81 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/ High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 kings and epic heroes gave more importance to ethical leadership either in administration or in war. Mahabharata and Ramayana are two great epics of India. Ramayana teaches values and idealistic character of individuals, principles of ruling and human behaviour. Mahabharata,spelled by Sri Veda Vyasa gave many pearls of wisdom regarding management principles and covers all facets of human values, principles of life, science, moral values, war strategies, ammunition, management principles, diplomacy and the like. It is not just anepic, but a great source of reference for various aspects of present-day problems. There is a proverb in Telugu (Indian Language) that “If you want to eat, prefer Vada and if you want to listenprefer Mahabharata” (TinteGarale Tinali VinteBhratamVinali- In Telugu Script). Scholars opine that one can find solutions for all problems in Mahabharata. Mahabharata gavethree major management treatisesto human kind more than 5000 years ago: 1. Bhagavad Gita - A great personality development and motivational book. You can findsolutions to various personal and societal problems. 2. Vidura Neeti – A guide for Raja Dharma, Qualities of a Ruler / Leader. Gave substantial material for Managerial / Leadership Skills. 3. Shanti Parva – Bhisma narrates the principles of Raja Dharma, Administrative principles. Vidura Neeti comprises rules of conduct and ethics of life. Vidura’s thoughts will provide innovative and simple thoughts to the present generation of leaders to improve their performance as leaders. The present study discusses about Vidura’s management thoughts from Vidura Neeti and gives a temporal analysis. 2. Literature Review: Ganguli Kisari Mohan (4th edition, 1981) translation of Mahabharata gave a base material for study on Vidura teachings.Dr. Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar, in his Vidura Niti (1955) has emphasised that how the great EPICS of India have played crucial role in the formation of character of modern India. Vidura covers all aspects of individual and social life. Vidura Niti is a Civil and moral mine of wisdom. Though the society has gone through various changes, fundamental value system remains same even today. Vidura Niti is applicable to society without any bias and sectarian outlook. As Central idea of Vidura Niti is based on eternal values, it is applicable to all ages regardless of cast, creed, religion and race. Ravindra Shenoy(April,2012 – ISBN 978-81-920639-1-1)discussed about Vidura neeti as a part of his analysis on vedic literature and lessons for management. He describes the essence of Volume 27, Issue 8, 2021 82 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/ High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 spiritual touch for good governance, optimum utilisation of resources, wealth sharing, managing human resources, leadership and motivational methods. Sri Ramanuja Achari (May, 2017)has done exhaustive research on Vidura’s teachings andlisted qualities of individuals, leaders, rulers and substantiated with appropriate verses fromVidura Neeti. Jayasmita Rath and Guruprasad(2017)iterated that people with high spiritual traits display better leadership performance based on Vidura Neeti. Vidura has given various thoughts about Leadership and Principles to manage Organisations more than 5000 years ago. His thoughts are time tested and are more relevant to present and future also. S.K.Chakraborty and Debangshu Chakraborty (2008) spells that spiritual values prevails in business, management, administration and governing. They have explained that how spiritual traits of great leaders from history inspired top CEO’s and lead to immense leadership performance. Henri Fayol (1917)gave 14 basic management principles have significant influence on modern management theories and helped managers to learn how to run an organisation effectively. Trait Theory by Kelly (1974)liststhe traits of a leader that are essential in building an organisation.Andrew J Dubrin(8th edition,2015)states that leader’s effectiveness is assessed based on personal characteristics and effective leaders are made of the right stuff. He discusses in his book of Leadership about the effective traits, motives and characteristics of a leader. He stresses that apart from basic traits, a leader should have an achieving motive andproblem-solving skills. Peter Drucker’s Theory of management (1975)proposes Management by Objectives(MBO), a new concept in the modern management to improve the efficiency of organisation by reviewing, setting, monitoring, evaluating performance and rewarding employees in a SMART way. Managerial Grid theory proposed by Blake and Mouton (1964)speaks about leader’s ability to influence team in implementing goals in the organisation. Scientific Management proposed by Taylor (1909)emphasises about training of employees and division of work among managers and workers. R.B. Cattell(1950)Big Five personality traits also more useful in identifying good leaders.Maslow(1943) proposed a motivational model which talks about basic needs, psychological needs and self-fulfilment needs. Doug Lennick, Fred Kiel (2005) proposes four competencies for moral intelligence – Integrity, Responsibility, Forgiveness and compassion. These four principles are very vital for personal and organisational success. Vidura, many thousands of years back, has given all these modern management principles with a touch of spirituality and culture. This paper aims to discuss and analyse management thoughts of Volume 27, Issue 8, 2021 83 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/ High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 Vidura and how they are relevant to present day modern management principles vis-a-vis with principles spelled by western theorists. 3. Discussions and Analysis: Vidura iis one of the oldest Management Guru.Vidura’s teachings are based on moral values. Vidura says that spiritual traits that gives fame and charisma to a leader. Though society has gone through various changes, fundamental values remains same even today. Vidura Neeti is centered on the eternal and fundamental obligations of individual and society. Vidura Neeti is beneficial to all ages, literate and illiterate, men and women, rich and poor, teacher and student, political and corporate leaders, employees and employers. Vidura Neeti is applicable and useful not only in India but across the world. It will be more useful in grooming future business and political leaders with value system. His management thoughts and suggestions are time tested. His suggestions are rich in knowledge with foresight having more extent of practicability. He has spelled essential duties of a king, Raja Dharma. And also advised